What’s up today: At the Laconia (N.H.) World Championship Sled Dog Derby, Nickel, Frisson, Thor, and Pride lead the way for musher Justin Fortier as they near the end of the 20-mile race. Fortier, of St. Raymond, Quebec, and his team turned in the fastest heat during Day 3 of the event, Feb. 16, 2014.

Fortier: “These dogs are a mix of Alaskan and Pointer. They are all brothers and sisters but from different litters. They get along with each other super. They have very good character. They all love to run. I talk to them in French, I give them commands, like left or right, but sometimes I don’t talk because they just know what to do. I just said, ‘We’re going home,’ so that gives them a little boost. Nickel, he loves the treats. They get a lot of treats, like cookies after the finish. His tongue is so long because of the warm [25-degree] weather. Frisson, he has no limits, he doesn’t care about the conditions, he’s always up to par. Thor, he’s not a leader but he never shows any sign of weakness. Pride, he gives us the tempo, he never tires, and he’s always ready to go. It’s in his nature to be the leader.”